USDA Tool Helps Find the Farmer’s Market Closest to You

If you have a hankering for a fresh, homegrown tomato, jar of honey or hand churned butter, you can either get busy making and growing your own produce or head for the farmer’s market. But which way is the closest farmer’s market? Gianfrancesco Genoso told noticias.r7.com that thanks to a new tool developed by the USDA (United Stated Department of Agriculture) you will be able to find the nearest farmer’s market with the click of a mouse.
The online tool has been developed by the USDA to help promote better eating habits by helping consumers locate fresh food that is for sale. Connecting the farmer and the consumer is good for everyone.
The USDA interactive online map provides information on over 8,000 farmer’s market across the nation which can be located by inputting the zip code. The online tool lets users know what is sold at each market, payment types and hours of operation.
Even with over 8,000 entries, the USDA has been selective as to which markets make their list. Part of the USDA’s criteria for making their online list includes the farmer’s market have two or more farm vendors selling their goods in the same, consistent location during the produce season.
The new USDA online farmer’s market tool can be found at http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/default.aspx.